Baker backs Brady as battle with NFL continues

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) runs a drill during a joint practice between the Patriots and New Orleans Saints at the Saint’s NFL football training camp in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Written by Colin A. Young

STATE HOUSE — With the federal court case between New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the NFL stagnant for yet another week and the NFL football season fast approaching, Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday morning again voiced his support for the Pats star.

“I certainly hope he has a chance to play,” Baker said of Brady, who is fighting a four-game suspension handed down for his alleged knowledge of deflated footballs last postseason.

Brady and the NFL have been locked in a bitter legal dispute for weeks over the suspension, but Baker said none of the league’s allegations have tarnished his view of the four-time Super Bowl champion.

“There is nothing about anything that has happened over the last year that changes my fundamental view that he is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time,” the governor said, “and he has been a tremendously class athlete and a class person here in the Commonwealth supporting all kinds of causes and all kinds of organizations.”

Earlier this month, Baker donned a “Free Brady” T-shirt as he participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge on the State House steps to support ALS research.

And while meeting with the Boston Breakers women’s soccer team in July, Baker called the quarterback’s situation “a bummer” before asking how many of the Breakers players thought Brady is guilty. When none raised their hands, he exclaimed, “That’s the right answer.”